Vector-borne disease testing changes at PHOL

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners  
Date: July 10, 2025
From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Vector-borne disease testing changes at PHOL

Dear Colleagues,

Public Health Ontario Laboratory (PHOL) has recently updated its testing protocols for vector-borne disease testing. Please see an overview of the changes below. All links provide information in English only.

New PHOL Algorithm: Anaplasma PCR Replacing Single Serology Test Requests

PHOL has replaced single serology...

Update on the publicly funded high-risk pneumococcal vaccine program

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners  
Date: July 8, 2025
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Update on the publicly funded high-risk pneumococcal vaccine program

Dear Colleagues,

The Ministry of Health has provided an update on the publicly funded high-risk pneumococcal vaccine program. The update applies to children (6 weeks to 17 years of age) who are at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)

Effective Immediately:

• Children 6 weeks to 17 years who are at...

Supporting Active Lifestyles: The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care Providers

Only 56% of Ottawa adults (aged 18+) meet the physical activity recommendation of the evidence-based Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (2025 Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology). Across Canada, just 49% of adults (aged 18+) are reaching recommended physical activity levels, with only 6% meeting all 3 components (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) of the guidelines.

Physicians can play a role in encouraging patients to adopt healthier movement behaviours that are essential in managing...

2025 Allergy & Immunology Update for Primary Care, Sept 19, 2025, University of Ottawa CPD

Provider

University of Ottawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development

Overview

One-day medical education conference focused on the latest advances in Allergy and Clinical Immunology tailored for primary care providers, providing practical, evidence-based updates on the diagnosis, management, and referral of common allergic and immunologic conditions encountered in primary care. Expert speakers will address topics such as food allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis, drug allergies,...

Connect Older Adults, Adults Living with Disabilities, and Caregivers to Community Support Services

Connecting patients to community-based supports is a critical component of patient care — but not always straightforward. That’s why AccessCSS.ca was developed in response to a need for simple, centralized, and coordinated referral process that fits within existing workflows and ensures that older adults, adults living with disabilities, and their caregivers can be connected efficiently to the care they need to stay healthy, independent, and safe at home. In response, AccessCSS has created...